Toptul Reviews

[Bo Heck]

I'm in as well.

Flare nut wrenches, combination wrenches, various sockets, etc.


iamhistory - you will have to let us know how the flare nut wrenches work out. There is a thread on this very subject and it would be interesting to see how the Toptul flare nut wrenches perform.

Dave

Incidentally, how can I quote and have it appear in the box vs. looking like text. Thanks

you just forgot the [/quote] on the end that completes the quote.

 

[dirty old man]

I am curious if anyone has pictures of well used Toptul wrenches or sockets. Many are comparing them to the tool truck quality, the finish based on the pics and reviews look great. Wondering if the tolerances, durability and strength are really the same, as the industrial brands?

I'll get you one of my 14mm combo wrench. It's pretty much the most used tool in my box.

 

[iamhistory]

Dave.......I'll do that as soon as I get a chance to use them. I'm looking forward to it. I thought of that thread when I decided to order the Toptul ones. I have some Williams and MAC flares that I have never had any troubles with yet. I am filling some gaps in my set with the Toptuls and hoping they are a good purchase.

From my experience with my Toptul stuff so far, I don't think I'll be disappointed.

 

[ddrewyor]

Bo Heck - thanks for the tip, it works great.

Iamhistory - never had any issues with my CMan flare wrenches, but I am always open to find a better way.

Dave
________
IOLITE REVIEWS

 

[iamhistory]

Can't say I've ever used Cman flares.......I checked my drawer and forgot I also had a Proto and an S-K. Looking forward to receiving and trying out the Toptul stuff.

 

[Vinko]

Is this wish-list deadline past? I was looking at the site, and I wanted to get sets of the pliers for my a donation to my son's school for electrical work. I think it'd be great for the kids to have those sets. And the the screwdrivers. And they're reasonably enough priced that they won't break my bank account.

 

[bennyy]

Vinko - I think it was last saturday for the discount price.

 

[Vinko]

Vinko - I think it was last saturday for the discount price.

I looked at the corporate site. I like the European and electronic line of pliers. And some of those precision drivers, if they hold up, look like they could be a really good value.

 

[wrenhandtools]

The deadline has passed, but it doesn't affect the prices of the pliers and there is still a 20% discount for members. I am only raising prices on ratchets, sockets, and wrenches. Everything else stays the same for now.

Just fyi

 

[Vinko]

Thanks. I've got to read through the threads, but I'm correct in assuming that not all the merch is on your site, yet? I found the precision drivers and most of the pliers, but there appear to be two hacksaws on the pricelist, the heavy duty model and a lighter duty one. I don't see a picture of the lighter duty one, or some of the other stricking tools mentioned on the price list. Can't find them on your site or on the corporate site.

I wouldn't mind getting a hacksaw to put through it's paces at my shop. We use them not brutally, but usually every day for light and sometimes heavier duty things.

But then again, I don't need to be convinced that you can get quality out of Taiwan, because I've seen it with other products. I'm just amazed at how damn nice it is for the price. Now if the consistency and quality control is as good every time like it looks in the pictures, that'd be pretty damn impressive to me. I should probably get one socket to show my dad and the S-O man too!

 

[superautobacs]

... I don't see a picture of the lighter duty one, or some of the other stricking tools mentioned on the price list. Can't find them on your site or on the corporate site. ...

Here's how to get there: Catalogue / Other Tools / Cutter

 

[WSMC633]

Mike,

Curiosity here. As far as I know, you're the US dealer for Toptul, correct? then who are the guys selling them on Ebay? I've noticed there are a fe different people these days. Does that mean Toptul is growing it's US market?

 

[pirana]

Got this little 1/4" dr. swivel head a week or so ago & I really like it. It's got nice chrome, seems well made & you can't beat the price. I wanted another ratchet style but Mike was out of them for the moment. Hope his next shipment gets hear soon!

 

[wrenhandtools]

There is ONE ebay seller, a retailer here in my area, that purchased some tools from me to sell. Unless it is from Spokane, WA I have no idea who the other people are and I can 90% assure you that they DO NOT have a relationship with the manufacturer. Toptul does NOT want their tools to be sold on ebay. Period. They want the tools to be sold in a different manner that conveys better quality than an auction. I happen to agree. That is why you won't see me selling on there or using PayPal. I like being 100% independent.
I don't know where or how the other people on ebay got their stuff either.

 

[supraman1990]

There is ONE ebay seller, a retailer here in my area, that purchased some tools from me to sell. Unless it is from Spokane, WA I have no idea who the other people are and I can 90% assure you that they DO NOT have a relationship with the manufacturer. Toptul does NOT want their tools to be sold on ebay. Period. They want the tools to be sold in a different manner that conveys better quality than an auction. I happen to agree. That is why you won't see me selling on there or using PayPal. I like being 100% independent.
I don't know where or how the other people on ebay got their stuff either.

The other guy is the ex-toptul distributor. He is based about an hour from me in Charlotte, NC. As far as I know he is just liquidating his remaining inventory.

 

[wrenhandtools]

That makes sense.

 

[CatfishXpress]

The other guy is the ex-toptul distributor. He is based about an hour from me in Charlotte, NC. As far as I know he is just liquidating his remaining inventory.

Another thing that should be noted is, that guy is not as trustworthy as our friend Mike Wren, several people received incomplete or incorrect orders from him.

 

[supraman1990]

Everything I ever bought from him was pretty much correct. Not the best packaging, but still a decent guy. Their is also another guy that sells Toptul on Ebay I have bought from before based out of Alaska. I assume he is getting his stuff from Canada or something similar. Very easy guy to deal with, just doesn't list often.

 

[jerk_chicken]

Has anyone compared tolerances with more major brands? I see people saying the stuff "looks nice" or basing judgements on that, which I don't doubt for a second. Most of the stuff looks really good, but has anyone compared tolerances? Another thing is someone mentioned the failure test not being the be all, end all, which it isn't. These things need to be in service daily to see how they stack up to day to day abuse and just normal wear.

 

[supraman1990]

I have used and built my collection for right at 2 years now. Threw two restorations, high torque applications, and even the occasional impact. The only negative I have seen thus far is that one of my 3/8 ratchets that I got in my original order of tools is starting to slip just a little in higher torque applications. But, with the lifetime warranty I'm not very worried about it, as just as soon as I gather up a list of stuff I need warrantied, I'm confident Mike will make it right, and send me new stuff out.

 

[WSMC633]

Has anyone compared tolerances with more major brands? I see people saying the stuff "looks nice" or basing judgements on that, which I don't doubt for a second. Most of the stuff looks really good, but has anyone compared tolerances? Another thing is someone mentioned the failure test not being the be all, end all, which it isn't. These things need to be in service daily to see how they stack up to day to day abuse and just normal wear.

I use my stuff everyday in my shop. I have enough faith in the product to have sent Mike a pretty decent size order (which I'm now waiting on) Basically an entire set of tools. complete 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" socket sets,(both deep and shallow) a couple of ratchets in each drive size, extensions for every drive size, a set of combo wrenches, hex bits, screwdrivers, and a bunch of other stuff I can't think of at the moment.

Anyway, Fit and finish is far superior to Craftsman and A step above Mac in (my opinion). I currently have a few extensions a couple ratchets, a breaker bar, complete 3/8" socket set, and a decent size run of Metric and SAE wrenches. So far they are showing almost zero wear, (as far as scratches in the chrome etc.). The actual drive faces of the tools (parts of the tool that moves the fastener) show zero wear, I've had no breakages. Though I do take good care of my tools, I'm not afraid to put them to use and give them a work out.

I don't have say... a set of Snap-on wrenches with equivalent use to compare them to. However, my feeling now is they perform great and I'm excited to have a bunch more on the way.

I will shoot and post some pics of the stuff so you guys can see what almost a year of constant use looks like.

 

[The Muffin Man]

I will shoot and post some pics of the stuff so you guys can see what almost a year of constant use looks like.

I'm really looking forward to that

 

[gotmud13613]

I got my order from Mike yesterday All I can say is WOW these tools are awesome. They a light years ahead of Craftsman as far as finish, looks and feel, I think they are very close to the big tool truck products, if not ahead in quality. That satin finish is sweet

I just got them so I haven't been able to give the the real world test yet, But that will come later today. I am sure they will pass the test.

I got a couple of 3/8 flex-head ratchets CJKN1224 & CJHM1228

A few extensions with the hex end 3 3/8 drive
2 1/4 drive
2 1/2 drive

I also got 4 sockets 1/4dr 14mm shallow
1/4dr 4.5mm deep
1/4dr 5.5mm deep
3/8dr 7mm deep

Mike also tossed in a 1/2-3/8 lighted extension and a pen

I am not the greatest picture taker so instead of flooding the post with pics I will link to my photobucket so you view them here http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r63/michael13613/TOPTUL%20%20TOOLS/

Mike is a great guy to deal with I see many more purchases in my future.

Update: I played around with ratchets in the shop yesterday, The round head CJKN1224 is as smooth as my Snap-On round head and Gearwrench swivel head, The internals are the same as the SO and GW. The QR pear shaped head CJHM1228 is also a very nice smooth ratchet, internals on this ratchet remind me of a Proto type set up with 2 pawls. The handle on these are very nice and provide a solid grip. Socket fit is nice and tight no slop.

 

[WSMC633]

I'm really looking forward to that

OK, I finally remembered to snap a few pics. sorry for the quality. All I had at the shop was my Point and shoot, so I did the best I could.

Ok, the only thing I did was wipe everything down to get rid of my Fingerprints. I choose to shoot the 10mm, 11mm, and 13mm. 10mm is probably my most used wrench, followed by a 13mm. 11mm hardly ever gets used, so I thought it would be a good comparison as it's close to new.
The flash really accentuates the surface scratches, which are hardly noticeable in person. I can't say anything is abused, but they are definitely used. They do occasionally get dropped, tools commonly end up getting put down on the ground at the track or in the shop, etc. etc. Everything does get wiped down and cleaned with a rag before getting put away at the end of the day.
Ok, I think that's full disclosure. I'll get some Socket and ratchet pics next.

 

[john w]

I used my new DFAF-1211 Long Hose Gripper Pliers for the first time this past Friday in brakes class at school - they sure make life easier. If you're interested, they're listed in the Auto Tools section. They come in 3 sizes - the big one was perfect for removing and installing the booster hose.

 

[r6_cannibal]

I forgot to post my initial impressions here!
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30338
A link to the post I made about the sockets I received.
All I need to say is that I'm overly satisfied with both quality and service.

 

[pirana]

A few weeks ago I received my second small order fom Mike which included a 1/4" drive x 9" long wobble extension that had a bad bow in it. I e-mailed him to ask about replacing it but then I just decided it wasn't that big a deal because I was able to get most of the bend out of it with a hydraulic press at work. I told him not to worry about sending another but he insisted in sending me a replacement. Yesterday I got a replacement in the mail & he even threw in a 6" wobble ext.
Now that folks, is customer service! You just don't get that treatment from big companies. I don't mean to sound all syruppy or anything but I just want to say I appreciate his efforts & wish him success.

 

[gotmud13613]

I was so impressed with my 3/8" TopTul ratchets, I had to get a 1/2" Dr.

CJHM1631 1/2" Dr flex ratchet.

The first thing I really like about it, It's a 1/2" Dr and only about 12" long. I haven't seen many short-flex 1/2" drives. I think the size combimed with the flex will come in real handy.

The handle is also very nice, it's atleast twice the size of the 3/8, with a good grip.

It's really smooth, this one came with alot more green grease compared to my 3/8" ratchets.

The flex joint is good and tight, but not to tight.

Here is a few pics, after I get to try it out i'll report back.

Mike is a top notch guy and I have been very impressed with the quality of the TopTuls, and the service I have received from him

 

[The Muffin Man]

Awesome pics Mud! The pawls looks very nice.

 

[superautobacs]

Can you tell us how many teeth are in contact with the gear and is that a common number? Thanks.

 

[gotmud13613]

Can you tell us how many teeth are in contact with the gear and is that a common number? Thanks.

All 5 teeth contact the gear on the 1/2" Dr.

 

[wrenhandtools]

If you like that lube, it is from Park Tools......the bicycle tool people. Makes the bottom brackets in my Bianchis nice and smooooooooth.

 

[gotmud13613]

If you like that lube, it is from Park Tools......the bicycle tool people. Makes the bottom brackets in my Bianchis nice and smooooooooth.

Cool, I thought maybe this was factory stuff.

 

[superautobacs]

Cool, I thought maybe this was factory stuff.

Wow. Mike, you go through the trouble of lubing each ratchet

 

[jshillin]

I received my order from Mike last week. Purchased a 72 tooth 3/8" and 1/2" ratchet as well as a rail of 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" shallow sockets, 3/8" deepwells and every length of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" wobble extensions!! I haven't had a chance to do anymore than play with them so far, but man the finish is great and they look/feel like some real nice quality tools. I'm definitely going to be ordering from Mike again soon!!

 

[bchee]

thanks for the excellent picts. I was really surprised to see that dual pawl design

 

[zuspiel]

Is that nice looking extension/bit holder from Toptul, too? Whoever makes it, I want one! And you even got a PB Swiss bit in it

I was so impressed with my 3/8" TopTul ratchets, I had to get a 1/2" Dr.

Thanks a lot for the "p0rn" I love shots like that. Does that design remind anybody of the old Cman that JAFE just posted about? Very neat!

 

[bchee]

Zuspiel - these are toptul extensions

 

[nmk_61802]

I think that he wanted to know about the bit holder itself, I know I do.

 

[bchee]

oh, nevermind. I thought it was one whole piece, like a bit socket.